Are you tired of hearing that we need to "Shelter in Place," "Isolate" and stay "Contained" in our homes? I know these phrases have become terms that we tend to see as restrictive, confining, and limiting because they are doing all of those things all under the premise of creating a barrier of safety from COVID-19 exposure.
Recently, I heard Pastor Zach Martin or The Bridge Church, Murrieta sharing about the term "refuge" which is not an uncommon Biblical term used when someone needed to find shelter from a storm and safety from danger. the Bible says that God is our refuge and a place where we can find safety.
"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."
Psalm 9:9 (NIV)
When I think of the stay home orders, I find comfort knowing that the "home" is the place of refuge and safety, after all, shouldn't it be? Isn't that the place where peace resides, safety for children, where a wife creates comfort, and a husband is called the "king of his castle"? So why are we all in such a hurry to get back to "the rat race" that takes us from our homes, our safety, and our family? Could it be that we never made our home our refuge in the first place? Is it because there is more warring happening within the walls designed to keep out the dangers of the outside? Are those who should be protected afraid more of their protectors? Does it feel more like prison than a place of safety? If your family is under attack within the walls that are designed to protect them, the guardians of the home need to look at their behaviors first before blaming those who are under their protection. Fathers should consider their attitudes toward their wives and children before they get angry and lose their tempers. Mothers should consider the effects of confinement for children who are used to being with their friends, outside of the home, where they can run and play. Children are the victims of these circumstances as well as parents who have been forced to be full-time parent, teacher, mentor, and leader. How well parents are you doing the job? Are you taking out your frustration to unwanted changes on your children who also are being forced to change? The phrase that has been coined is "We're all in this together," but are you considering the family as the primary part of being "together"?
Today, take a good look at your refuge and ask yourself if it is a place of safety. Ask your children, your partner, your family members and friends; do they feel safe confined with you? If the answer is "no" then take a good look at what you can do to change that. If you need help, call us and we'll give you suggestions on how to turn 4 walls of conflict into 4 walls of refuge.
Day 85: Refuge